Communication method, communication system, communication device, managing device, recording medium and user information module

ABSTRACT

The object is to provide a communication system enabling a server to obtain a grasp of the behavior of users on a communications network even when communication is performed between users on the communications network without going through the server. A communication apparatus  3   1  has a user information module containing user attribute information indicating an attribute of a user  4   1 . When the communication apparatus  3   1  communicates with a communication apparatus  3   3 , the communication apparatus  3   1  sends user attribute information of the user  4   1  to the communication apparatus  3   2  and receives and holds user attribute information of a user  4   2  from a communication apparatus  3   2 , and the communication apparatus  3   1  sends said held user attribute information of the user  4   2  to a management apparatus  5.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication method capableof managing attributes of communication between communicationapparatuses, a communication system, communication apparatus, managementapparatus, storage medium, and user information module.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] For example, when providing a variety of services to users via acommunications network such as the Internet, the users are charged inaccordance with the service content and a variety of information isgiven, so a function for identifying users who utilize the services isnecessary.

[0003] Most information services on the Internet are of a client/serversystem wherein a terminal of a user accesses a specific server to obtainthe services. The WWW (World Wide Web) is a typical system of the same.Further, the case of users being introduced to service providers by aso-called portal site and connecting from a terminal to a server byfollowing the information can also be referred to as a client/serversystem. In a client/server system as above, a user has to connect histerminal to a server via a network and register when starting to utilizethe service or when purchasing goods. After that, the user may use theuser ID information or an e-mail address issued at the time of the userregistration to receive the service. On the other hand, the server canidentify users registered on the Internet and obtain a grasp of thetrends in use of the users.

[0004] In a system combined with mobile phones etc., user identificationis possible because information of the telephone subscribers can beautomatically obtained by usage of telephone lines.

[0005] However, the type of information services using the Internet inrecent years is not limited to a case where terminals of users areconnected to servers. Namely, terminals of users are increasinglydirectly connecting with each other to exchange information. In thiscase, when the information to be exchanged is something provided byspecific information service providers, that specific information isexchanged without the awareness of the service providers. Accordingly,it becomes difficult for the service provider side to accurately obtaina grasp of the trends of service provision. The exchanged informationincludes indirect information relating to transactions of goods etc.besides direct information such as mutually exchanged data itself.

[0006] Also, in the case of an information community providingcommunication means between users even for services provided on aserver, information is directly exchanged between the users andsometimes it is not easy for the server to obtain a grasp of the contentof the information exchange. While the above described the case ofobtaining a grasp of the state of use of individual users, it is alsodifficult for the server to determine the trends in collective use ofinformation by users.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention was made in consideration of the aboveproblems and has as an object thereof to provide a communication methodenabling a server to obtain a grasp of trends in use of users on acommunications network even when users communicate via thecommunications network without going through the server and acommunication system, communication apparatus, management apparatus,storage medium, and user information module for the same.

[0008] To solve the above problems of the prior art and to attain theabove object, a communication method according to a first aspect of thepresent invention is a communication method wherein a plurality ofcommunication apparatuses and a management apparatus communicate via acommunications network, comprising the steps of: holding by thecommunication apparatus a user information module including userattribute information indicating an attribute of a user of thecommunication apparatus; sending by the communication apparatus the userattribute information of the user of that communication apparatus toother of the communication apparatus, receiving and holding by thecommunication apparatus the user attribute information of a user of theother communication apparatus from the other communication apparatuswhen any of the communication apparatus; and sending by any of thecommunication apparatus the user attribute information of the user ofthe other communication apparatus to the management apparatus.

[0009] As explained above, in the communication method of the firstaspect of the present invention, when any of the communicationapparatuses communicates with another communication apparatus, the userattribute information of user of the other communication apparatus isreceived and held from the other communication apparatus and sent to amanagement apparatus. Therefore, the management apparatus can easilyobtain information for obtaining a grasp of the behavior of users on thecommunications network.

[0010] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of theinvention, preferably the user attribute information contains at leastidentification information of the user information module of acorresponding user.

[0011] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of theinvention, preferably any of the communication apparatus stores the userattribute information received from the other communication apparatus inthe user information module of the user of the communication apparatus.Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of theinvention, preferably the management apparatus obtains an attribute ofcommunication performed via the communications network based on the userattribute information received from any of the communication apparatus.Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of theinvention, preferably the attribute of communication is the contents ofa transaction performed between users of a plurality of communicationapparatuses linked by communication via the communications network.Alternatively, in the communication method of the first aspect of theinvention, preferably the attribute of communication is a group formedby users of a plurality of the communication apparatuses linked bycommunication via the communications network. The management apparatusfigures out trends of the users based on the attribute of communication.

[0012] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of theinvention, when the user of that any communication apparatus and theuser of the other communication apparatus communicate concerning atransaction, any of the communication apparatus stores transactioncontents information indicating the contents of the transaction in theuser information module and sends the transaction contents informationto the management apparatus. Preferably, the management apparatusperforms processing concerning settlement based on the transactioncontents information.

[0013] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of thepresent invention, preferably the user information module contains: theuser attribute information, user identification information, transactioncontents information indicating the contents of a transaction by thecommunication performed with the other user, and the user attributeinformation of the user of the other communication apparatuscommunicated with.

[0014] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of thepresent invention, preferably the user information module identificationinformation is issued by the user or the management apparatus.

[0015] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of thepresent invention, preferably the user attribute information furthercontains: image information on the user and profile information of theuser.

[0016] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of thepresent invention, preferably at least a part of the information storedin the user information module is encoded by public key information ofthe management apparatus; and the management apparatus decodes theencoded information by using secret key information corresponding to thepublic key information.

[0017] Further, in the communication method of the first aspect of thepresent invention, preferably when a first user provides a service froma first communication apparatus to a second communication apparatus of asecond user via the communications network, electronic money informationor voucher information is transferred between the first communicationapparatus and the second communication apparatus via the communicationsnetwork to have the first user pay for the service to the second user.Further, the first communication apparatus stores the user attributeinformation received from the second communication apparatus in the userinformation module of the first user.

[0018] A communication system of a second aspect of the presentinvention is a communication system where a plurality of communicationapparatuses and a management apparatus communicate via a communicationsnetwork, wherein the communication apparatus holds a user informationmodule containing user attribute information indicating an attribute ofa user of the communication apparatus, any of the communicationapparatus communicating with another communication apparatus sends theuser attribute information of the user of the communication apparatus tothe other communication apparatus and holds by receiving the userattribute information of the user of the other communication apparatusfrom the other communication apparatus, and any of the communicationapparatus sends the held user attribute information of the user of theother communication apparatus to the management apparatus.

[0019] A communication apparatus of a third aspect of the presentinvention is a communication apparatus for communicating with othercommunication apparatuses and a management apparatus via acommunications network comprising: a storage means; a communicationinterface; and a control means, wherein the storage means storing a userinformation module containing user attribute information indicating anattribute of a user of the communication apparatus the communicationinterface, when communicating with another communication apparatus basedon control from the control means, sending the user attributeinformation to the other communication apparatus and receiving the userattribute information of a user of the other communication apparatusfrom the other communication apparatus, the control means writing thereceived user attribute information in the storage means, and thecommunication interface sending the received user attribute informationwhich the control means read from the storage means.

[0020] A management apparatus of a fourth aspect of the presentinvention is a management apparatus managing communication performed bya plurality of communication apparatuses through a communicationsnetwork, comprising: a communication interface for receiving, from acommunication apparatus, user attribute information indicating anattribute of a user of another communication apparatus obtained by thecommunication apparatus by communication between the communicationapparatus and the other communication apparatus; a storage means forstoring the received user attribute information; and a processing meansfor managing an attribute of communication performed between theplurality of communication apparatuses based on the user attributeinformation stored in the storage means.

[0021] A storage medium of a fifth aspect of the present invention is astorage medium storing a user information module used by a communicationapparatus communicating with another communication apparatus via acommunications network, wherein the user information module includes:identification information for identifying the user information module;attribute information indicating an attribute of a user; identificationinformation for identifying a user; transaction content informationindicating a content of a transaction performed with a user of the othercommunication apparatus; and user attribute information of a user of theother communication apparatus communicated with.

[0022] A user information module of a sixth aspect of the presentinvention is a user information module used by a communication apparatuscommunicating with another communication apparatus via a communicationsnetwork which includes: identification information for identifying theuser information module, attribute information indicating an attributeof a user, identification information for indicating a user, transactioncontent information indicating a content of a transaction performed witha user of the other communication apparatus, and the user attributeinformation of the user of the other communication apparatuscommunicated with.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a view of the overall configuration of a communicationsystem of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a cyber passport informationmodule used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of functions of a management apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a view for explaining functions realized by a processingunit shown in FIG. 3.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of functions of a management apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a view for explaining functions realized by theprocessing unit shown in FIG. 5.

[0029]FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a case where a usergenerates a cyber passport information module.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a view for explaining processing of exchanging viewinformation modules between communication apparatuses shown in FIG. 1when they communicate between them.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the processing shown in FIG.8.

[0032]FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining a case where acommunication apparatus shown in FIG. 1 requests a user query to amanagement apparatus.

[0033]FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining a case where thecommunication apparatus shown in FIG. 1 requests issuance of electronicmoney to a management apparatus.

[0034]FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining a case where thecommunication apparatus shown in FIG. 1 requests payment of electronicmoney to another communication apparatus.

[0035]FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining a case where acommunication apparatus sends check information to another communicationapparatus and a management apparatus performs settlement based on thecheck information.

[0036]FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining processing of acommunication apparatus and a management apparatus when thecommunication apparatus shown in FIG. 1 accesses the managementapparatus.

[0037]FIG. 15 is a view of a schematic relationship of communitiesformed by a plurality of users on a communications network shown in FIG.1 for providing mutual information services and a management apparatusfor managing them.

[0038]FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a case where a regularly heldEnglish language class is provided as an information service by usingthe communication system shown in FIG. 1 and a community for learningEnglish is formed by users participating at any time.

[0039]FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a case where users having videocameras for videotaping form a community for the purpose of improvingvideotaping skills by using the communication system shown in FIG. 1.

[0040]FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a case of forming a community byencounters of users on the communications network (network) using thecommunication system shown in FIG. 1.

[0041]FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a role of a cyber passportinformation module SPIM.

[0042]FIG. 20 is a view for explaining a case of storing a cyberpassport information module in an IC of an IC card in a communicationsystem of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043]FIG. 21 is a view for explaining an IC card shown in FIG. 20.

[0044]FIG. 22 is a view for explaining an example of writing a cyberpassport information module SPIM by XML.

[0045]FIG. 23 is a view for explaining an example of writing a cyberpassport information module SPIM by XML.

[0046]FIG. 24 is a view for explaining an example of writing a cyberpassport information module SPIM by XML.

[0047]FIG. 25 is a view for explaining an example of writing a cyberpassport information module SPIM by XML.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] Below, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will beexplained with reference to the drawings.

[0049]FIG. 1 is a view of the overall configuration of a communicationsystem 1 of the present embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 1 is comprised ofcommunication apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂, and 3 ₃ and a management apparatus 5connected via a communications network 2. The communication apparatuses3 ₁ to 3 ₃ are used by users 4 ₁ to 4 ₃, hold later explained cyberpassport information modules SPIM₁ to SPIM₃ corresponding to the users4, and communicate information using the same. The communicationsnetwork 2 is not particularly limited, but may be for example a publictelephone network, wireless communication by infrared rays, etc.

[0051] In FIG. 1, the communication system 1 corresponds to thecommunication system of the present invention, the communicationsnetwork 2 corresponds to the communications network of the presentinvention, the communication apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂ and 3 ₃ correspond tocommunication apparatuses of the present invention, and the managementapparatus 5 corresponds to the management apparatus of the presentinvention. Also, the cyber passport information module SPIM correspondsto the user information module of the present invention.

[0052] Below, the cyber passport information module SPIM₁ will beexplained. Note that the cyber passport information modules SPIM₂ andSPIM₃ basically have the same data configuration of that of the cyberpassport information module SPIM₁.

[0053]FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the cyber passport informationmodule SPIM₁. As shown in FIG. 2, the cyber passport information moduleSPIM₁ stores a header information module 21, a view information module22, a property information module 23, an association information module24, and a burying function module 25. Here, the view information module22 corresponds to attribute information of the present invention.

[0054] The header information module 21 is comprised of headerinformation, thumbnail information, format information, and brandinformation. The header information is information displayed at an earlystage. The thumbnail information is information for displaying the factof being a cyber passport information module SPIM at an early stage. Theformat information is information indicating the format of the cyberpassport information module SPIM used. the brand information isinformation for displaying a brand mark.

[0055] The view information module 22 is comprised of user imageinformation (image information regarding a user of the presentinvention), passport ID information P_ID (user information moduleidentification information of the present invention), and user profileinformation (profile information of the user 4 of the presentinvention). The user image information is image information regardingthe user 4 of the cyber passport information module SPIM, for example,image information of the face of the user 4. The user image informationis image information simulating an ID card, name card, etc. The passportID information P_ID is information for identifying the cyber passportinformation module SPIM. The passport ID information P_ID is issued bythe user 4 or the management apparatus 5. The user profile informationis basic information on the user 4, for example, the name, address,telephone number, e-mail address, URL, etc. of the user 4. Note that theuser profile information may be included in the user image informationas a part of the image.

[0056] The property information module 23 is comprised of user IDinformation U_ID (user identification information of the presentinvention) and account information (transaction content information ofthe present invention). The user ID information U_ID is issued by themanagement apparatus 5 and is information for identifying the user 4.The user ID information is encoded for example by public key informationof the management apparatus 5. Note that the cyber passport informationmodule SPIM may be used before the issuance of the user ID informationU_ID by the management apparatus 5. The account information isinformation regarding a voucher (private check and receipt) regardingelectronic money and electronic business transactions. The accountinformation is encoded for example by public key information of themanagement apparatus 5.

[0057] The association information module 24 is comprised of a viewinformation module 22, a passport ID information P_ID of a user 4 towhich the view information module is sent, and a passport ID informationP_ID of the other party with whom a voucher information (checkinformation and receipt information etc.) was exchanged bycommunication. The view information module 22 is sent from acommunication apparatus 3 of another user 4 when communicating with theother user 4.

[0058] Furthermore, the passport ID information P_ID is obtained aspassport ID information P_ID of a user 4 (preferably includesinformation for enabling identification of another user 4 such as userID information U_ID and email address of the other user 4) to whom theview information module 22 is sent at the time of communicating withother user 4.

[0059] The burying function module 25 is used in the case ofincorporating a function of performing processing regarding a cyberpassport information module SPIM. The function is, for example, torealize an exchange of the cyber passport information module SPIMbetween users 4 and access to a management apparatus 5 when using theWWW (World Wide Web) browser as a user interface of the cyber passport.

[0060] In the cyber passport information module SPIM, a headerinformation module 21, a view information module 22, a propertyinformation module 23, an association information module 24, and aburying function module 25 are defined as lower structures of the headerinformation module 21. Note that in the present invention, for example,the view information module 22 may be incorporated in thumbnailinformation of the header information module 21 and the view informationmodule 22 may be used in a display at an early stage.

[0061] The above described cyber passport information module SPIM isstructured and written, for example, by using XML (extensible, MarkupLanguage). In the structure of the cyber passport information moduleSPIM, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or GIF (GraphicInterchange Format) image data may be used as the user image informationand information other than that may be stored in a JPEG and GIFadditional data region.

Communication Apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂, and 3 ₃

[0062]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of functions of the communicationapparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂, and 3 ₃.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂, and 3₃ each comprise a communication interface unit 30, an operation unit 31,a display unit 32, a user information module storage unit 33, a storageunit 34, and a processing unit 35. Here, the communication interfaceunit 30 corresponds to the communication interface of the presentinvention, the user information module storage unit 33 and the storageunit 34 correspond to the storage means of the present invention, andthe processing unit 35 corresponds to the control means of the presentinvention.

[0064] The communication interface unit 30 transfers information withother communication apparatuses and the management apparatus 5 via thecommunications network 2.

[0065] The operation unit 31 is a keyboard, mouse, etc. which outputs anoperation signal in accordance with an operation by a user 4 to theprocessing unit 35. The display unit 32 displays an image in accordancewith a display signal from the processing unit 35. The user informationmodule memory 33 stores the cyber passport information module SPIM shownin FIG. 2. The storage unit 34 stores predetermined information andprograms to be executed by the processing unit 35.

[0066] The processing unit 35, for example, performs later explainedprocessing in accordance with an operation signal from the operationunit 31.

[0067]FIG. 4 is a view for explaining functions to be realized by theprocessing unit 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the processing unit 35 executesa program read from the storage unit 34 to realize a browser functionmodule 41, a SPIM editing function module 42, a SPIM management functionmodule 43, an electronic money management function module 44, and acheck management module 45.

Management Apparatus 5

[0068]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of functions of the management apparatus5.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 5, the management apparatus 5 comprises acommunication interface unit 50, an operation unit 51, a display unit52, a storage unit 53, and a processing unit 54. Here, the communicationinterface unit 50 corresponds to the communication interface of thepresent invention, the storage unit 53 corresponds to the storage meansof the present invention, and the processing unit 54 corresponds to theprocessing means of the present invention.

[0070] The communication interface unit 50 transfers information betweencommunication apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂, and 3 ₃ via the communicationsnetwork 2. The operation unit 51 is a keyboard, mouse, etc. whichoutputs an operation signal in accordance with an operation by a managerto the processing unit 54. The display unit 52 displays an image inaccordance with a display signal from the processing unit 54. Thestorage unit 53 stores programs to be executed by the processing unit54, user management information generated by the processing unit 54,etc.

[0071] The processing unit 54, for example, performs later explainedprocessing in accordance with an operation signal from the operationunit 51.

[0072]FIG. 6 is a view for explaining functions to be realized by theprocessing unit 54. As shown in FIG. 6, the processing unit 54 executesa program read from the storage unit 53 to realize a user ID informationissuance function module 61, a user management information updatefunction module 62, a user query function module 63, a user trendanalysis function module 64, a user group information generationfunction module 65, an electronic money management function module 66, acheck information processing module 67, and an information guidefunction module 68.

[0073] Below, an example of the operation of a communication system 1will be explained with reference to information in the cyber passportinformation module SPIM in FIG. 2 and function blocks shown in FIG. 3 toFIG. 6.

First Example of Operation

[0074] In the present example of operation, a case where a user 41generates a cyber passport information module SPIM will be explained.Note that in the present example of operation, a case where user IDinformation of the user 41 is not yet issued will be explained.

[0075]FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the example of operation.

[0076] Step ST1:

[0077] The user 4 ₁ operates the operation unit 31 of the communicationapparatus 31 shown in FIG. 3 to generate the cyber passport issuancerequest. The cyber passport issuance request is sent from thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus shown inFIG. 3 to the management apparatus 5 via the communications network 2.

[0078] Step ST2:

[0079] The cyber passport issuance request sent at step ST1 is receivedby the communication interface unit 50 of the management apparatus 5shown in FIG. 5.

[0080] Step ST3:

[0081] Based on the user ID information issuance function module 61shown in FIG. 6 obtained by executing a program read from the storageunit 53 by the processing unit 54 of the management apparatus 5, user IDinformation U_ID₁ unique to the user 4 ₁ is issued. Note that thepassport ID information P_ID shown in FIG. 2 may be issued by themanagement apparatus 5 at step ST3 or may be issued by the user 4 byhimself. When the user 4 issues the passport ID information P_ID,passport ID information P_ID issued by the user 4 and user IDinformation U_ID issued by the management apparatus 5 are connected whenthe user 4 accesses the management apparatus 5.

[0082] Step ST4:

[0083] The user ID information V_ID₁ issued at step ST3 is sent from thecommunication interface unit 50 of the management apparatus 5 shown inFIG. 5 to the communication apparatus 31 via the communications network2.

[0084] Step ST5:

[0085] The user ID information U_ID₁ sent at step ST4 is received by thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ shownin FIG. 3.

[0086] In the processing unit 35 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁shown in FIG. 3, a cyber passport information module SPIM₁ shown in FIG.2 is generated by using the user ID information U_ID₁ received at stepST5, information input by the user 4 ₁ by using the operation unit 31,etc.

Second Example of Operation

[0087] In the present example of operation, a case of exchanging a viewinformation module between the communication apparatuses 3 ₁ and 3 ₂shown in FIG. 1 when the two communicate will be explained.

[0088]FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a flow of information in thepresent example of operation, while FIG. 9 is a flow chart forexplaining the present example of operation. When the communicationapparatuses 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ communicate, they perform the processingdescribed below.

[0089] Step ST11:

[0090] In the communication apparatus 3 ₁, the view information module22 in the cyber passport information module SPIM₁ stored in the userinformation module memory 33 is sent from the communication interfaceunit 30 to the communication apparatus 32 via the communications network2 as shown in FIG. 8. Also, in the communication apparatus 3 ₂, the viewinformation module 22 in the cyber passport information module SPIM₂stored in the user information module storage unit 33 is sent from thecommunication interface unit 30 to the communication apparatus 3 ₁ viathe communications network 2 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0091] Step ST12:

[0092] The communication apparatus 3 ₁ stores the view informationmodule 22 received from the communication apparatus 3 ₂ at step ST11 inthe association information module 24 shown in FIG. 2.

[0093] Step ST13:

[0094] The communication apparatus 3 ₁ stores the user ID informationU_ID₂ of the user 4 ₂ of the communication apparatus 3 ₂ which sent theview information module 22 ₁ of the user 4 ₁ at step ST11 in theassociation information module 24 of the cyber passport informationmodule SPIM₁.

[0095] Step ST14:

[0096] The communication apparatus 3 ₂ stores the view informationmodule 22 received from the communication apparatus 3 ₁ at step ST11 inthe association information module 24 shown in FIG. 2 of the user 4 ₂.

[0097] Step ST15:

[0098] The communication apparatus 3 ₂ stores the user ID informationU_ID₁ of the user 4 ₁ of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ which sent theview information module 22 of the user 4 ₂ at step ST11 in theassociation information module 24 of the cyber passport informationmodule SPIM₂.

Third Example of Operation

[0099] In the present example of operation, a case where thecommunication apparatus 31 requests a user query to the managementapparatus 5 will be explained.

[0100]FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the present example ofoperation.

[0101] Step ST21:

[0102] The user 4 ₁ operates the operation unit 31 of the communicationapparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 3 to for example specify contents of his owncyber passport information module SPIM₁ or contents of the viewinformation module 22 of the user 4 ₂ received from the communicationapparatus 3 ₂ and generate a user query request.

[0103] Step ST22:

[0104] The user query request generated at step ST21 is sent from thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ shownin FIG. 3 to the management apparatus 5 via the communications network2.

[0105] Step ST23:

[0106] The user query request sent at step ST22 is received by thecommunication interface unit 50 of the management apparatus 5 shown inFIG. 5.

[0107] Step ST24:

[0108] In the processing unit 54 of the management apparatus 5 shown inFIG. 5, the user management information stored in the storage unit 53 isreferred to based on the user query function module 63 shown in FIG. 6obtained by executing a program read from the storage unit 53. A queryresult is obtained by judging whether the contents specified by the userquery request are correct or not, whereupon a user query responseincluding the query result is generated.

[0109] Step ST25:

[0110] The user query response generated at step ST24 is sent from thecommunication interface unit 50 of the management apparatus 5 shown inFIG. 5 to the communication apparatus 3 ₁ via the communications network2.

[0111] Step ST26:

[0112] The user query response sent at step ST25 is received by thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁. Thereceived user query response is processed in the processing unit 35 anddisplayed on the display unit 32.

Fourth Example of Operation

[0113] In the present example of operation, a case where thecommunication apparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 1 requests issuance ofelectronic money to the management apparatus 5 will be explained.

[0114]FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the present example ofoperation.

[0115] Step ST31:

[0116] The user 4 ₁ operates the operation unit 31 of the communicationapparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 3 designate the amount of the electronicmoney which is required to be issued and generate an electronic moneyissuance request.

[0117] Step ST32:

[0118] The electronic money issuance request generated at step ST31 issent from the communication interface unit 30 of the communicationapparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 3 to the management apparatus 5 via thecommunications network 2.

[0119] Step ST33:

[0120] The electronic money issuance request sent at step ST32 isreceived by the communication interface unit 50 of the managementapparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5.

[0121] Step ST34:

[0122] The processing unit 54 of the management apparatus shown in FIG.5 performs processing for issuing a designated amount of electronicmoney to the user 4 ₁ based on the electronic money management functionmodule 66 shown in FIG. 6 obtained by executing a program read from thestorage unit 53 and thereby generates an electronic money issuanceresponse.

[0123] Step ST35:

[0124] The electronic money issuance response generated at step ST34 issent from the communication interface unit 50 of the managementapparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5 to the communication apparatus 3 ₁ via thecommunications network 2.

[0125] Step ST36:

[0126] The electronic money issuance response sent at step ST35 isreceived by the communication interface unit 30 of the communicationapparatus 3 ₁.

[0127] Step ST37:

[0128] In accordance with an electronic money issuance response receivedat step ST36, the processing unit 35 (shown in FIG. 3) increases theamount of the electronic money in the cyber passport information moduleSPIM₁ based on the electronic money management function module 44 (shownin FIG. 4) obtained by executing a program read from the storage unit34.

Fifth Example of Operation

[0129] In the present example of operation, a case where thecommunication apparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 1 requests payment ofelectronic money to the communication apparatus 3 ₂ will be explained.

[0130]FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the present example ofoperation.

[0131] Step ST41:

[0132] The user 4 ₁ operates the operation unit 31 of the communicationapparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 3 to, for example, specify an amount ofelectronic money to be paid and generate an electronic money issuancerequest.

[0133] Step ST42:

[0134] The electronic money payment request generated at step ST41 issent from the communication interface unit 30 of the communicationapparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 3 to the communication apparatus 3 ₂ via thecommunications network 2.

[0135] Step ST43:

[0136] The electronic money payment request sent at step ST42 isreceived by the communication interface unit 30 of the communicationapparatus (shown in FIG. 3).

[0137] Step ST44:

[0138] In accordance with an electronic money payment request receivedat step ST43, the processing unit 35 shown in FIG. 3 of thecommunication apparatus 3 ₂ executes a program read from the storageunit 34. Based on the thus obtained electronic money management functionmodule 44 (shown in FIG. 4), the amount of electronic money indicated inaccount information in the property information module 23 of the cyberpassport information module SPIM₂ is increased.

[0139] Step ST45:

[0140] In accordance with the transmission of the electronic moneypayment request at step ST42, a program read from the storage unit 34 isexecuted in the processing unit 35 shown in FIG. 3 of the communicationapparatus₁. Based on the electronic money management function module 44shown in FIG. 4 obtained thereby, the amount of electronic moneyindicated in the account information in the property information module23 of the cyber passport information module SPIM₁ is decreased.

Sixth Example of Operation

[0141] In the present example of operation, a case where thecommunication apparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 1 sends check information tothe communication apparatus 3 ₂ and makes settlement based on the checkinformation in the management apparatus 5 will be explained.

[0142]FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the example of operation.

[0143] Step ST51:

[0144] The operation unit 31 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ shown inFIG. 3 is operated by the user 4 ₁, then the processing unit 35 executesa program read from the storage unit 34. Based on the thus obtainedcheck management function module 45 shown in FIG. 4, check informationspecifying an amount of money for the user 4 ₂ to pay by a check isgenerated. Also, the check information is stored as account informationin the property information module 23 shown in FIG. 2 of the cyberpassport information module SPIM₁ of the user 4 ₁ by the processing unit35.

[0145] Step ST52:

[0146] The check information generated at step ST51 is sent from thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ shownin FIG. 3 to the communication apparatus 3 ₂ via the communicationsnetwork 2.

[0147] Step ST53:

[0148] The check information sent at step ST52 is received by thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₂ shownin FIG. 3.

[0149] Step ST54:

[0150] The processing unit 35 of the communication apparatus 3 ₂ shownin FIG. 3 executes a program read from the storage unit 34. Based on thethus obtained check management function module 45 shown in FIG. 4, thecheck information is stored as account information in the propertyinformation module 23 shown in FIG. 2 of the cyber passport informationmodule SPI₂. Also, the processing unit 35 generates receipt informationregarding reception of the check information.

[0151] Step ST55:

[0152] The receipt information generated at step ST54 is sent from thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₂ shownin FIG. 3 to the communication apparatus 3 ₁ via the communicationsnetwork 2.

[0153] Step ST56:

[0154] The check information received at step ST53 is sent from thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₂ shownin FIG. 3 to the management apparatus 5 via the communications network2.

[0155] Step ST57:

[0156] The check information sent from the communication apparatus 3 ₂at step ST55 is received by the communication interface unit 30 of thecommunication apparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 3.

[0157] Step ST58:

[0158] The receipt information received by the communication apparatus 3₁ at step ST57 is sent from the communication interface unit 30 shown inFIG. 3 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ to the management apparatus 5via the communications network 2.

[0159] Step ST59:

[0160] The check information sent by the communication apparatus 3 ₂ atstep ST56 is received by the communication interface unit 50 of themanagement apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5.

[0161] Step ST60:

[0162] The receipt information sent by the communication apparatus 3 ₁at step ST58 is received by the communication interface unit 50 of themanagement apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5.

[0163] Step ST61:

[0164] When the check information is received at step ST59, a programread from the storage unit 53 is executed in the processing unit 54 ofthe management apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5. Based on the thus obtainedcheck information processing module 67 shown in FIG. 6, settlementprocessing is performed based on the check information received at stepST59 and the receipt information received at step ST60. On the otherhand, when the receipt information is received at step ST60, thesettlement processing is performed based on the receipt information.

[0165] Step ST62:

[0166] A content verification notice regarding contents of the accountsettlement performed at step ST61 is generated by the processing unit 54of the management apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5. Then, when settlement isperformed based on the check information, the content verificationnotice is sent to the communication apparatus 3 ₂. On the other hand,when settlement is performed based on the receipt information, thecontent verification notice is sent to the communication apparatus 3 ₁.

[0167] Step ST63:

[0168] The content verification notice sent from the managementapparatus 5 at step ST62 is received by the communication interface unit30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 3 and the content isdisplayed on the display unit 32.

[0169] Step ST64:

[0170] The content verification notice sent from the managementapparatus 5 at step ST62 is received by the communication interface unit30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₂ shown in FIG. 3 and the content isdisplayed on the display unit 32.

[0171] Step ST65:

[0172] The management apparatus 5 stores the receipt information and thecheck information.

[0173] The check information and receipt information used in the accountsettlement processing are stored in the storage unit 53 of themanagement apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5.

Seventh Example of Operation

[0174] In the present example of operation, processing of thecommunication apparatus 3 ₁ and the management apparatus 5 when thecommunication apparatus 3 ₁ shown in FIG. 1 accesses the managementapparatus 5 will be explained. The processing described below is forexample automatically performed when the communication apparatus 3 ₁accesses the management apparatus 5 for some reason.

[0175]FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the example of operation.

[0176] Step ST71:

[0177] When the communication apparatus 3 ₁ accesses the managementapparatus 5 via the communications network 2, as described below,predetermined information in the cyber passport information module SPIM₁of the user 4 ₁ stored in the storage unit 34 shown in FIG. 3 is sentfrom the communication interface unit 30 to the management apparatus 5via the communications network 2. The information to be sent is, forexample, user ID information U_ID of the user 4 ₁, passport IDinformation P_ID, account information, and passport ID information P_IDto which the view information module 22 of the user 4 ₁ is sent, etc.

[0178] Step ST72:

[0179] The information sent from the communication apparatus 3 ₁ at stepST71 is received by the communication interface unit 50 of themanagement apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5.

[0180] Step ST73:

[0181] In the management apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5, the informationreceived at step ST72 is written in the storage unit 53.

[0182] Step ST74:

[0183] The processing unit 54 of the management apparatus 5 shown inFIG. 5 executes a program read from the storage unit 53 and uses theinformation received at step ST72 to update user management informationbased on the user management information update function module 62 shownin FIG. 6 obtained thereby.

[0184] Step ST75:

[0185] The processing unit 54 of the management unit 54 of themanagement apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 5 generates SPIM update informationfor updating the cyber passport information module SPIM₁ of the user 4 ₁based on the user management information update function module 62.

[0186] Step ST76:

[0187] The SPIM update information generated at step ST75 is sent fromthe communication interface unit 50 of the management apparatus 5 shownin FIG. 5 to the communication apparatus 3 ₁ via the communicationsnetwork 2.

[0188] Step ST77:

[0189] The SPIM update information sent at step ST76 is received by thecommunication interface unit 30 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ shownin FIG. 3.

[0190] Step ST78:

[0191] The processing unit 35 of the communication apparatus 3 ₁ shownin FIG. 3 executes a program read from the storage unit 34. Then, basedon the thus obtained SPIM editing function module 42 shown in FIG. 4, itedits (updates) the cyber passport information module SIPM₁ of the user4 ₁ stored in the user information module storage unit 33 in accordancewith the SPIM update information received at step ST77.

[0192] Step ST79:

[0193] The processing unit 54 of the management apparatus 5 shown inFIG. 5 executes a program read from the storage unit 53. Then, based onthe thus obtained user trend analysis function module 64 shown in FIG.6, it uses the information received at step ST72 to analyze the trendsof users and generate analysis information. In the analysis, forexample, it analyzes trends in consumption of users such as personaltastes in consumption based on types of businesses of service providers(having cyber passport information modules) used by the users. Theanalysis information is written in the storage unit 53 shown in FIG. 5.

[0194] Step ST80:

[0195] The processing unit 54 of the management apparatus 5 shown inFIG. 5 executes a program read from the storage unit 53. Then, based onthe thus obtained user group information generation function module 65shown in FIG. 6, it uses the information received at step ST72 toanalyze the interrelationships between a plurality of users and generategroup information obtained by grouping users having strongrelationships. The group information is written in the storage unit 53shown in FIG. 5.

[0196] Below, an example of the above explained communication system 1wherein a variety of communities can be formed on the communicationsnetwork 2 by communication via the communications network 2 using thecyber passport information modules explained above will be explained.

Community Forming Method

[0197]FIG. 15 is a view of the schematic relationship of communitiescomprised of pluralities of users 4 offering mutual information serviceson the communications network 2 and a management apparatus 5 formanaging them.

[0198] In FIG. 15, the management apparatus 5, as explained above,comprises a user management function module 100 comprised of a user IDinformation issuance function module 61, a user management informationupdate function module 62, a user query function module 63, a user trendanalysis function module 64, a user group information generationfunction module 65, an electronic money management function module 66, acheck information processing module 67, etc. and an information guidefunction module 68 for introducing communities to users 4. The user 4connects from a communication apparatus 3 to the management apparatus 5by using his cyber passport information module SPIM to utilize theinformation guide function module 68 of the management apparatus 5.

[0199] Communities C₁, C₂, and C₃ include communities wherein aninformation service provider provides a predetermined service and users4 suitably participate in the community to utilize the service andcommunities suitably formed by users 4 and in which an informationservice provider participates in accordance with need. Alternately,there are non-profit communities formed by gathering users 4 at anytime. The explanation will be given classifying these communities inaccordance with the characteristics to publishing event typecommunities, participation event type communities, and creative privatetype communities.

[0200] In the communication system 1, an information service provided byan information service provider is used by an information service userin a community or information fees and service fees relating to directexchanges of information between information service users are collectedand received by the communication apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂, and 3 ₃ using anelectronic business transaction function (for example, a function basedon the account information and association information module 24 shownin FIG. 2) of the cyber passport information module SPIM.

[0201] Note that the management apparatus 5 is run, for example, by feesfor introducing users to information service providers and providinginformation concerning characteristics of users obtained by usermanagement information and fees collected along with electronic businesstransactions relating to use in an information community.

Publishing Event Type Community

[0202]FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a case where a community isformed where a suitably held English language class is provided as aninformation service using the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 andusers 4 participate at any time for learning English. In FIG. 16, ateacher 110, a testing organization 111, and students 112 respectivelyhave cyber passport information modules SPIM and access the managementapparatus 5 by using their communication apparatuses 3. The teacher 110and other information service providers gain profit from communityparticipation fees (tuition), content fees (teaching material fees), andevaluation and certification fees by tests and correction. In acommunity of this kind, the testing organization 111 may furthermoreform a community as an information service provider in which teacherscan participate at any time and use test materials or test analysisservices.

Participation Event Type Community

[0203]FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a case where users having videocameras for videotaping form a community for the purpose of improvingvideotaping skills by using the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1.In FIG. 17, the user 120 and the certifier 122 respectively have cyberpassport information modules SPIM and access the management apparatus 5by using their communication apparatuses 3. Here, users 120participating at any time refer to videotaping case studies from thevideo library 121 and bring their own videotaped works for mutual reviewby the users 120. Also, the certified 122 participates at any time andsuitably certifies the skills of the users 120.

[0204] Such a community 123 may be branched off into a use instructioncommunity where users 120 having higher skills provide instructions onvideotaping method to beginners. Alternatively, the present communityitself may be subdivided in accordance with the contents of thevideotaped works to a family video community 125, a sports videocommunity 126, etc. Also, it is possible to introduce the users 120 to arelated accessory community 127 when accessories becomes necessary invideotaping a work or to introduce them to a movie community 128 assumedto be desired by the users 120. The information service provider cangain profit from fees for introducing and connecting up users tocommunities of related information services in addition to communityparticipation fee by the users, content fees, and evaluation andcertification fees. The fees for introduction and connection can becollected via the management apparatus 5.

Creative Private Type Community

[0205]FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a case of forming a community byencounters of users on a communications network (network) 2 using thecommunication system 1 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 18, users 130 andastronomy fans 132 hold their own cyber passport information modulesSPIM and access the management apparatus 5 by using their communicationapparatuses 3. As shown in FIG. 18, users 130 having astronomy,photography, and mountain-climbing as hobbies temporarily form acommunity 131 to jointly climb a mountain to photograph stars.Furthermore, an astronomy fan 130 having a picture participates in anastronomy fan community 133 to get an evaluation of the picture andfurther participates in an astronomical observatory or academic meetingcommunity 134 with the result. Such communities are not participated inby profit-oriented information service providers for making profits.However, due to access to the management apparatus 5 by the users 130based on information exchanges therein, it is possible to analyze andobtain relationships and common topics of the users 130 by the usermanagement function 100 of the management apparatus 5. The informationis furthermore used in the information guide function module 68 of themanagement apparatus 5.

[0206] Also, it is possible for a specific user to bring a banneradvertisement so that participants in the community can look at theadvertisement. In this case, for example, it is possible for a providerof an advertisement to pay an advertisement commission to the user whobrought the advertisement in accordance with the number of times othercommunity participants look at the advertisement. Payment of theadvertisement commission is made by the electronic business transactionfunction of the cyber passport information modules SPIM of the users.Also, information of users can be exchanged between the users andpayment for the same can be made by the electronic business transactionfunction of the cyber passport information modules SPIM in the same way.Each of the above communities can be attained by using personalcomputers on the Internet and by using mobile phones and PDA (PersonalDigital Assistants). When a PDA is used, a creative private typecommunity can be particularly easily realized by direct communicationfunctions between PDAs.

Role of Cyber Passport Information Module SPIM

[0207] The role of the cyber passport information module SPIM in theabove explained communities will be summarized.

[0208]FIG. 19 is a view for explaining the role of the cyber passportinformation module SPIM. The above explained creative private typecommunity belongs to so-called C-to-C type communications. In such aformat, information is exchanged without using any specific serverfunctions. Thus, it was difficult to realize a method of making profitseven if fee-based information was exchanged or services provided.However, according to the above method using the cyber passportinformation modules SPIM, electronic business transactions can berealized even in such a case.

[0209] Even in a B-to-C community, making profits was difficult whenproviding information services not using specific server functions. Inthis case, however, electronic business transactions are realized in thesame way. Also, when a provider providing an information service usesother information and services, users can be charged in the same way.

[0210] When a user 4 is active in these communities, the user 4exchanges the view information module 22 stored in the cyber passportinformation module SPIM and suitably uses the user management functionmodule 100 of the management apparatus 5. In this case, by analyzing therelationship between users, users 4 having identical mutualrelationships can be grouped together. At this time, if there are userswhose user information such as hobbies and tastes is managed among theusers 4, a grasp is obtained of the trends in consumption of informationof other users 4 and a group of the users 4 from the above mutualrelationships and market research on the communications network 2 can berealized.

[0211] To realize the functions, a user function of a user 4 having thecyber passport information module SPIM needs to be connected to forexample the user management function module 100 of the managementapparatus 5. However, the connection can be promoted by introducing newservices in the management apparatus 5 to the user 4 of informationservices and by introducing the user 4 of the new information servicesto the information service provider.

[0212] Also, for exchanges of information concerning user identificationinformation between the users 4, it is possible to collect theinformation and engage in promotional activities offering cyber passportinformation modules SPIM of special specifications such as the method ofdisplay from the management apparatus 5. It is not necessary that allusers 4 having cyber passport information modules SPIM visit themanagement apparatus 5. The above function can be realized by visits ofsome of the users 4.

[0213] As explained above, according to the communication system 1, auser identification means can be provided on the communications network2 (network), mutual reference is possible on the communications network2, and the management apparatus 5 can obtain a global grasp of thereference relationship (exchange relationship) on the communicationsnetwork 2. Also, according to the communication system 1, it is possibleto hold an image in the cyber passport information module SPIM toprovide a photograph or an easy to understand user expression meanssimulating a name card, ID card, etc. in accordance with the types ofimages. As a result, exchanges between the users 4 are encouraged and anincrease of information concerning the users 4 can be expected.

[0214] Also, according to the communication system 1, not only is agrasp obtained of trends of the users 4 by just specific function sitesof a server etc., but also a grasp is obtained of trends concerningdirect exchanges of information between the users. Furthermore,according to the communication system 1, not only can a grasp beobtained of trends of individual users, but also a grasp can be obtainedof trends of groups of the users 4. By obtaining a grasp of grouptrends, it is possible to obtain a grasp of trends of individual userssynergistically from information of users 4 belonging to the groups.Also, when the group is an information community, an improvement ofservices such as a provision of higher grade information to thecommunity can be expected. Also, according to the communication system1, by sending a guide of information and services to a group of theusers 4 or to a group obtained by grouping those liable to form a group,it is possible to promote formation of an information community amongthem. Also, according to the communication system 1, since a means ofexchange of currency or vouchers for electronic business transactions isprovided between users including information services providers,formation of a flexible network market not depending on services basedon a specific site can be expected.

[0215] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0216] In the above embodiment, a case was illustrated where the cyberpassport information modules SPIM₁, SPIM₂, and SPIM₃ were stored in thecommunication apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂, and 3 ₃, but as shown in FIG. 20,the cyber passport information modules SPIM₁, SPIM₂, and SPIM₃ may alsobe stored in an IC (integrated circuit) 13 shown in FIG. 21 and theabove processing performed while the communication apparatuses 3 ₁, 3 ₂,and 3 ₃ access the IC 13. Also, the format of the cyber passportinformation modules SPIM is not limited to that indicated in FIG. 2.

[0217] Note that the IC 13 corresponds to the storage medium of thepresent invention.

[0218] Below, an example of a cyber passport information module SPIMwritten using XML will be explained for reference.

[0219] FIGS. 22 to 25 are views for explaining an example of writing acyber passport information module SPIM by XML.

[0220]FIG. 22 is a description of a header information module 21 and aview information module 22 in a cyber passport information module SPIM.

[0221]FIG. 23 is description of a property information module 23 in acyber passport information module SPIM.

[0222]FIGS. 24 and 25 are descriptions of an association informationmodule 24 in a cyber passport information module SPIM.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0223] As explained above, according to the present invention, it ispossible to provide a communication method enabling a managementapparatus to obtain a grasp of the behavior of users on a communicationsnetwork even when communication apparatuses of users communicate via acommunications network without going through the management apparatusand a communication system, communication apparatus, managementapparatus, and storage medium for the same. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1. . . comm system 2 . . . comm network 31, 32, 33 . . . comm apparatus41, 42, 43 . . . user 121, 122, 123 . . . IC card SPIM . . . cyberpassport information module 30 . . . comm interface unit 31 . . .operation unit 32 . . . display unit 33 . . . user information modulestorage unit 34 . . . storage unit 35 . . . processing unit 50 . . .comm interface unit 51 . . . operation unit 52 . . . display unit 53 . .. storage unit 54 . . . processing unit

1. A communication method wherein a plurality of communicationapparatuses and a management apparatus communicate via a communicationsnetwork, comprising the steps of: holding by said communicationapparatus a user information module including user attribute informationindicating an attribute of a user of the communication apparatus;sending by said communication apparatus said user attribute informationof the user of that communication apparatus to other of saidcommunication apparatus, receiving and holding by said communicationapparatus the user attribute information of a user of the othercommunication apparatus from the other communication apparatus when anyof said communication apparatus; and sending by any of saidcommunication apparatus said user attribute information of the user ofsaid other communication apparatus to said management apparatus.
 2. Thecommunication method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said userattribute information contains at least identification information ofsaid user information module of a corresponding user.
 3. Thecommunication method as set forth in claim 1, wherein any of saidcommunication apparatus stores said user attribute information receivedfrom said other communication apparatus in said user information moduleof the user of the communication apparatus.
 4. The communication methodas set forth in claim 1, wherein said management apparatus obtains anattribute of communication performed via said communications networkbased on said user attribute information received from any of saidcommunication apparatus.
 5. The communication method as set forth inclaim 4, wherein the attribute of communication is the contents of atransaction performed between users of a plurality of communicationapparatuses linked by communication via said communications network. 6.The communication method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the attributeof communication is a group formed by users of a plurality of saidcommunication apparatuses linked by communication via saidcommunications network.
 7. The communication method as set forth inclaim 4, wherein the management apparatus figures out a log ofcommunications performed by said users through said communications linebased on the attribute of communication.
 8. The communication method asset forth in claim 3, wherein when the user of that any communicationapparatus and the user of the other communication apparatus communicateconcerning a transaction, any of said communication apparatus storestransaction contents information indicating the contents of thetransaction in said user information module and sends said transactioncontents information to said management apparatus.
 9. The communicationmethod as set forth in claim 8, wherein said management apparatusperforms processing concerning settlement based on said transactioncontents information.
 10. The communication method as set forth in claim1, wherein said user information module contains: said user attributeinformation, user identification information, transaction contentsinformation indicating the contents of a transaction by saidcommunication performed with the other user, and said user attributeinformation of the user of the other communication apparatuscommunicated with.
 11. The communication method as set forth in claim 2,wherein said user information module identification information isissued by said user or said management apparatus.
 12. The communicationmethod as set forth in claim 2, wherein said user attribute informationfurther contains: image information on said user and profile informationof said user.
 13. The communication method as set forth in claim 1,wherein at least a part of the information stored in said userinformation module is encoded by public key information of saidmanagement apparatus; and said management apparatus decodes said encodedinformation by using secret key information corresponding to said publickey information.
 14. The communication method as set forth in claim 3,wherein when a first user provides a service from a first communicationapparatus to a second communication apparatus of a second user via saidcommunications network, electronic money information or voucherinformation is transferred between said first communication apparatusand said second communication apparatus via said communications networkto have said first user pay for said service to said second user. 15.The communication method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said firstcommunication apparatus stores said user attribute information receivedfrom said second communication apparatus in said user information moduleof said first user.
 16. A communication system where a plurality ofcommunication apparatuses and a management apparatus communicate via acommunications network, wherein said communication apparatus holds auser information module containing user attribute information indicatingan attribute of a user of the communication apparatus, any of saidcommunication apparatus communicating with another communicationapparatus sends said user attribute information of the user of thecommunication apparatus to said other communication apparatus and holdsby receiving the user attribute information of the user of the othercommunication apparatus from the other communication apparatus, and anyof said communication apparatus sends said held user attributeinformation of the user of said other communication apparatus to saidmanagement apparatus.
 17. The communication system as set forth in claim16, wherein said user attribute information contains at leastidentification information of said user information module of acorresponding user.
 18. The communication system as set forth in claim16, wherein said any communication apparatus stores said user attributeinformation received from said other communication apparatus in saiduser information module of the user of any of said communicationapparatus.
 19. The communication system as set forth in claim 16,wherein said management apparatus obtains an attribute of communicationperformed via said communications network based on said user attributeinformation received from any of said communication apparatus.
 20. Thecommunication system as set forth in claim 19, wherein saidcommunication attribute is content of a transaction performed betweenusers of a plurality of communication apparatuses connected bycommunication via said communications network.
 21. The communicationsystem as set forth in claim 19, wherein said communication attribute isa group formed by users of a plurality of communication apparatusesconnected by communication via said communications network.
 22. Acommunication apparatus for communicating with other communicationapparatuses and a management apparatus via a communications networkcomprising: a storage means; a communication interface; and a controlmeans, wherein said storage means storing a user information modulecontaining user attribute information indicating an attribute of a userof the communication apparatus, said communication interface, whencommunicating with another communication apparatus, based on controlfrom said control means, sending said user attribute information to saidother communication apparatus and receiving said user attributeinformation of a user of the other communication apparatus from theother communication apparatus, said control means writing said receiveduser attribute information in said storage means, and said communicationinterface sending said received user attribute information which saidcontrol means read from said storage means.
 23. The communicationapparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein said user attributeinformation contains at least identification information of said userinformation module of the corresponding user.
 24. The communicationapparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein any of said communicationapparatus stores said user attribute information received from saidother communication apparatus in said user information module of a userof any of the communication apparatus.
 25. The communication apparatusas set forth in claim 22, wherein said user information module contains:said user attribute information; user identification information;transaction content information indicating contents of a transaction bysaid communication performed with other users; and said user attributeinformation of a user of said other communication apparatus communicatedwith.
 26. The communication apparatus as set forth in claim 23, whereinsaid user information module identification information is issued bysaid user or said management apparatus.
 27. The communication apparatusas set forth in claim 23, wherein said user attribute informationfurther contains: image information on said user; and profileinformation of said user.
 28. A management apparatus managingcommunication performed by a plurality of communication apparatusesthrough a communications network, comprising: a communication interfacefor receiving, from a communication apparatus, user attributeinformation indicating an attribute of a user of another communicationapparatus obtained by said communication apparatus by communicationbetween said communication apparatus and the other communicationapparatus; a storage means for storing said received user attributeinformation; and a processing means for managing an attribute ofcommunication performed between said plurality of communicationapparatuses based on the user attribute information stored in saidstorage means.
 29. The management apparatus as set forth in claim 28,wherein said user attribute information contains at least identificationinformation of said user information module of the corresponding user.30. The management apparatus as set forth in claim 28, wherein saidprocessing means manages contents of a transaction performed betweenusers of a plurality of communication apparatuses connected bycommunication via said communications network.
 31. The managementapparatus as set forth in claim 28, wherein said processing meansmanages a group formed by users of a plurality of communicationapparatuses connected by communication via said communications network.32. The management apparatus as set forth in claim 28, wherein saidprocessing means manages a log of communication which said userperformed via said communications network by using said communicationapparatus based on said communication attribute.
 33. A storage mediumstoring a user information module used by a communication apparatuscommunicating with another communication apparatus via a communicationsnetwork, wherein said user information module includes: identificationinformation for identifying the user information module; attributeinformation indicating an attribute of a user; identificationinformation for identifying a user; transaction content informationindicating contents of a transaction performed with a user of said othercommunication apparatus; and user attribute information of a user ofsaid other communication apparatus communicated with.
 34. The storagemedium as set forth in claim 33, wherein said user attribute informationincludes: image information on said user; and profile information ofsaid user.
 35. The storage medium as set forth in claim 33, wherein atleast a part of information stored in said user information module isencoded by public key information of a manager of said user informationmodule.
 36. A user information module used by a communication apparatuscommunicating with another communication apparatus via a communicationsnetwork which includes: identification information for identifying theuser information module, attribute information indicating an attributeof a user, identification information for indicating a user, transactioncontent information indicating a content of a transaction performed witha user of said other communication apparatus, and said user attributeinformation of the user of said other communication apparatuscommunicated with.
 37. The user information module as set forth in claim36, wherein said user attribute information includes: image informationon said user; and profile information of said user.
 38. The userinformation module as set forth in claim 36, wherein at least a part ofinformation stored in said user information module is encoded by publickey information of a manager of said user information module.